The Components of an Outside Shower

Outdoor showers can be simple or complex.

Adding an outdoor shower to your backyard lets you rinse off muddy garden shoes or pets before entering the house. It is also good for washing out chlorine after leaving the pool. If you are planning to add an outdoor shower, you need to know what parts are required and how you can fit it into your yard design.

Water Supply

The water supply piping brings water from your plumbing system to the shower. You will need both hot and cold supply pipes, unless you are using the shower for cold water-rinsing following a swim in the pool or for cleaning equipment. A permanent outdoor shower may use underground water supply pipes, similar to a built-in irrigation system. If you want to make a simple, portable shower, use a garden hose for bringing water to the shower.

Drainage

If you have an outdoor shower, it is best to connect the drain to a gray water system. This recycles the waste water from your shower and uses it in your landscape for your plants. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission recommends reusing the water from your shower; but depending on where you live, you may need to acquire a gray water permit from your local utility company.

Shower Head and Handles

The head and handles of the shower will be the components you see. If you shower has an open design, the pipe leading from the handles to the head will also be visible. For any exposed pipework in an outdoor shower, opt for galvanized piping, which has more aesthetic appeal than PVC. The head and handles of the shower should match your design theme for the shower and the amount of water you want to fall. Like indoor showers, you can choose water-saving shower heads. The handles for the shower taps should be set at a level so anyone can turn on the shower. For coastal or humid areas, opt for rust-resistant materials for your shower fixtures.

Exterior

The exterior of the shower should blend into your landscape design. The amount of material you want to surround your outdoor shower will depend on how much privacy you want, and whether the shower is used for rinsing off after swimming or for regular showering. If you choose wood, opt for pressure-treated wood that is designed to withstand weathering. Corrugated, rust-resistant metal roofing panels set into wooden frames can be used to create the enclosure for your shower, too.

Interior

The interior of the shower space should have room for any showering accessories you might need. Showers for rinsing chlorine or salt water off can be simpler than a full shower that you use for bathing. If you want to create more privacy, use rust-resistant rings to hang a shower curtain made of heavy-duty, waterproof material. The interior of your outdoor shower space also may be used for storing plants that prefer a moist atmosphere. Since outdoor showers are open at the top, the plant can get sunlight.